FNB Wits thump hapless Tut in Varsity Shield
JOBURG - FNB Wits ran in six tries as they thumped FNB TUT by 53 points at the Wits Rugby Stadium on 08 February in their first home game of the Varsity Shield Cup this season.
FNB Wits ran in six tries as they thumped FNB Tut 53-0 at the Wits Rugby Stadium in their first home game of the Varsity Shield Cup this season.
Wits looked the more enterprising of the two teams in the opening stages and were the first to cross the white chalk when Thato Marobela dotted down in the seventh minute. Warren Gilbert missed the resulting conversion.
After 20 minutes the game was stopped due to heavy rain, but that did not dampen the momentum of the home side as they came out guns blazing after the delay to score three more tries before halftime, courtesy of Conor Brockschmidt and a brace by Ruan MacDonald.
The visitors had no reply to the Wits’ onslaught and great defensive work as they trailed 21-0 at the break.
The second half was more of the same from the home side as they dominated the game in all departments. MacDonald completed his hat-trick in the 61st minute after he showed great ball carrying skills in wet conditions.
FNB Tut launched a late counter-attack towards the end of the game as they looked for a consolation try but the Wits defence stood strong.
MacDonald was awarded the Man of the Match for his three tries.
“Personally, the award is not as important as the team,” he said.
“I am a team player. We knew we needed this win as a team and we did it despite the bad weather. Tut came hard at us but we stuck to our game.”
The scorers:
Wits: Tries – Thato Narubela, Connor Brocschmidt, Constant Beckerling, Ruan MacDonald (3)
Conversions: Warren Gilbert
Penalties: AJ van Blerk.
